Local

Whitman criticizes Brown over voicemail

Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman is criticizing a voicemail by her Democratic opponent Jerry Brown. In it, a Brown aide calls Whitman a 'whore' for allegedly promising to protect police pensions in exchange for a police union’s endorsement.

A Whitman spokeswoman calls the voicemail “appalling,” “unforgiveable,” and “an insult to both Meg Whitman and to the women of California.”

Brown left a phone message seeking the endorsement of the labor union that represents Los Angeles police officers. He inadvertently failed to hang up and the voicemail records an aide suggesting Whitman is a “whore” for allegedly promising to protect police pensions in exchange for the union’s endorsement.

Brown doesn’t respond to the comment. Instead, he expresses frustration that Whitman may be willing to do more for the union than he.

"I have been warned if I crack down on pensions, I will be - that they'll go to Whitman, and that's where they'll go because they know Whitman will give 'em, will cut them a deal, but I won't," Brown says in the message.

His Campaign Manager Steven Glazer released a statement saying it was a private conversation and called the language “salty.” He said “we apologize to Ms. Whitman and anyone who may have been offended."